Weighted glute bridge apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for use in performing a weighted glute bridge exercise. A back support contacts a user&#39;s back and a foot support contacts at least one of the user&#39;s feet, with each supporting a portion of the user&#39;s weight. A rigid elongate arm is mounted adjacent the back support at a pivot point. A hip bar is connected to the elongate arm and is configured to contact a user&#39;s hip region throughout the exercise. When the user moves from a hip flexed position to a hip extended position, the elongate arm moves from a first pivotal position to a second pivotal position. A resistance loading area connected to the elongate arm applies a resistance force directly onto the user&#39;s hip region that opposes the motion. Reversing the motion moves the elongate arm from the second pivotal position back to the first pivotal position and completes the repetition.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a strength trainingapparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to astrength training apparatus for performing a hip thrust exercise fortraining the gluteus (“glute”) muscles.

BACKGROUND

A common exercise routine used by athletes to train and specificallytarget their glute muscles is known as the “glute bridge” exercise.During the typical glute bridge exercise, the athlete places her backand at least one of her feet on a supporting surface to support herweight. Her back and foot remain in contact with these support surfacesthroughout the entire exercise. In the concentric phase of the exercise,the athlete pushes her hips forward while contracting her glute muscles(the “up” or “hip extended” position). In this up position, theathlete's upper body and upper leg (i.e., femur) are aligned and form asubstantially straight line or an angle of approximately 180° is formedat the athlete's hips and extends from the athlete's shoulders to herknees. In the eccentric phase of the exercise, the athlete flexes herhips rearwards and relaxes her glute muscles (the “down” or “hip flexed”position). In this down position, the athlete's upper body and upper legare approximately orthogonal to one another such that an approximateangle of 90° is formed at the athlete's hips by her torso and femur.

In its simplest form, the glute bridge may be performed on the floor orother ground surface without any equipment. In that case, the athlete'sshoulders and feet are supported by the ground surface. One disadvantageto performing the glute bridge exercise with back and feet supported bysurfaces on the same plane (i.e., both supported by the ground) is thatit provides limited range of motion, which limits the effectiveness ofthe exercise. One way to improve the effectiveness of the exerciseroutine through increasing the range of motion is for the athlete toplace her back on a support surface that is on a different plane(typically a higher plane) from the surface supporting her feet, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This variety of the glute bridge, where the backis elevated with respect to the feet, is often called a “hip thrust.” InFIG. 1, the athlete's back is supported by a bench and his feet aresupported by the floor. He is in the down or hip flexed position and anangle of approximately 90° is formed at his hip by his torso and femur.An angle of approximately 90° is also formed at his knee by his femurand tibia (shin bone). In FIG. 2, the athlete's back is still supportedby the bench and his feet are still supported by the floor. He is in theup or hip extended position and an angle of approximately 180° is formedat his hip by his torso and femur. However, an angle of approximately90° is still formed at his knee by his femur and tibia. This approximate90° angle formed at the knee remains constant throughout the exercise.

The difficulty of the glute bridge exercise may be increased by applyingresistance to the movement of the athlete's hips. Often, this isaccomplished by placing a barbell across the athlete's hips, which theathlete must then raise during the concentric phase of the exercise, asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2. However, a disadvantage of performing a weightedglute bridge using a free barbell is that balancing the weight can bedifficult, particularly for novice athletes. Additionally, because themotion of the barbell is unrestricted, it may travel along differentmotion paths from one repetition to the next, which can impact itseffectiveness and the consistency of results.

Accordingly, what is needed is a method and apparatus that offers theadvantages of performing an elevated glute bridge exercise (hip thrust)that addresses the disadvantages discussed above.

Notes on Construction

The use of the terms “a”, “an”, “the” and similar terms in the contextof describing embodiments of the invention are to be construed to coverboth the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein orclearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising”, “having”,“including” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms(i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted.The terms “substantially”, “generally” and other words of degree arerelative modifiers intended to indicate permissible variation from thecharacteristic so modified. The use of such terms in describing aphysical or functional characteristic of the invention is not intendedto limit such characteristic to the absolute value which the termmodifies, but rather to provide an approximation of the value of suchphysical or functional characteristic.

Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “attached”,“connected” and “interconnected”, refer to a relationship whereinstructures are secured or attached to one another either directly orindirectly through intervening structures, as well as both moveable andrigid attachments or relationships, unless otherwise specified herein orclearly indicated as having a different relationship by context. Theterm “operatively connected” is such an attachment, coupling orconnection that allows the pertinent structures to operate as intendedby virtue of that relationship.

The use of any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”and “preferably”) herein is intended merely to better illuminate theinvention and the preferred embodiments thereof, and not to place alimitation on the scope of the invention. Nothing in the specificationshould be construed as indicating any element as essential to thepractice of the invention unless so stated with specificity.

The term “femur angle” is relative to a linear approximation of theuser's spine. The “hip region” is located generally on the front of theuser's body and extends generally from the top of the hipbone downwardsto approximately midpoint of the femur. The term “hip flexed position”means that the user's hips are generally flexed rearward and (i) theuser has a femur angle of approximately 90°, (ii) the user's back issupported by a back support, and (iii) the user's foot of the leg whosefemur is angled at approximately 90° is supported by a foot support. Theterm “hip extended position” means that the user's hips are generallyextended forward and (i) the user has a femur angle of approximately180°, (ii) the user's back is supported by a back support, and (iii) theuser's foot of the leg whose femur is angled at approximately 180° issupported by a foot support.

SUMMARY

The above and other needs are met by an apparatus for use in performinga weighted glute bridge exercise where a user alternates between a hipflexed position and a hip extended position. The apparatus includes aback support that contacts a user's back and supports a portion of theuser's weight and a foot support that contacts at least one of theuser's feet and also supports a portion of the user's weight when theuser's back is supported by the back support. The back support and thefoot support remain fixed in place throughout the exercise. However, incertain preferred embodiments, the foot support includes a first end anda hinged second end such that the first end of the foot support may beraised and lowered about the hinged second end and fixed in at least twopositions.

A rigid elongate arm is pivotally mounted adjacent a left side or aright side of the back support at a pivot point. A hip bar is connectedto the elongate arm at a hip bar connection and is configured to contactthe user's hip region throughout the exercise. When the user moves fromthe hip flexed position to the hip extended position, the elongate armmoves from a first pivotal position to a second pivotal position (in afirst direction). When the user moves from the hip extended position tothe hip flexed position, the elongate arm moves from the second pivotalposition back to the first pivotal position (in a second direction). Aresistance loading area may be used to optionally apply a resistanceforce to the elongate arm that resists pivotal movement of the elongatearm in the first direction to increase the difficulty of the exercise.The resistance loading area is located on the elongate arm near the hipbar connection such that the resistance force is applied substantiallydirectly onto the user's hip region in order to closely replicateconventional weight hip thrust exercises.

In certain preferred embodiments, rigid elongate arms are pivotallymounted adjacent both sides of the back support and the hip bar isconnected between the elongate arms. Each of the elongate arms has afirst portion located on one side of the pivot point and a secondportion located on an opposite side of the pivot point that is closer tothe foot support than the first portion of the elongate arm. The hip baris preferably connected between the second portions of the elongate armsand may be selectively disconnected from at least one of the elongatearms. A rigid connection member connects the first portions of theelongate arms together such that the elongate arms pivot simultaneouslywith one another during the exercise.

According to certain embodiments, a hinged side of the hip bar is hingemounted to one of the elongate arms such that the hip bar may swingbetween an open position and a closed position. When the hip bar is inthe closed position, a locking side of the hip bar (located opposite thehinged side) may be removably connected to the other elongate arm via alock. The lock moves between an unlocked position, where the hip bar maybe pivoted about the hinge to the open position, and a locked position,where the hip bar is prevented from being pivoted about the hinge to theopen position. The lock may include a first tube located on the elongatearm that is located proximate the locking side of the hip bar. In thatcase, a corresponding second tube is also located on the back supportand it aligns with the first tube when the hip bar is in the closedposition. A sliding bolt is configured to slide through the first andsecond tubes. When the lock is in the locked position, a portion of thesliding bolt is located in each of the first and second tubes. When thelock is in the unlocked position, the sliding bolt is located in onlyone of the first and second tubes.

In certain preferred embodiments, the resistance loading area is anelongate post extending laterally outwards from the elongate arm that isconfigured to receive weight plates. In certain embodiments, rigidelongate arms are pivotally mounted adjacent both sides of the backsupport and resistance loading areas are provided on each elongate arm.The resistance loading areas preferably allow a separate resistanceforce to be applied to each of the elongate arms. In preferredembodiments, each resistance loading area is an elongate post extendinglaterally outwards from the elongate arm that is configured to receiveweight plates. The elongate arms have a first portion located on oneside of the pivot point and a second portion located on an opposite sideof the pivot point that is closer to the foot support than the firstportion of the elongate arm. Preferably, the hip bar is connectedbetween the second portions of the elongate arms and the elongate postsare concentrically aligned with the hip bar to closely replicate theappearance and performance characteristics of a conventional weight hipthrust exercises with a barbell.

Certain embodiments of the apparatus are provided with a pivot-limitingleg. A first end of the pivot-limiting leg is mounted to the elongatearm and a second end is configured to contact a bearing surface once theelongate arm has pivoted sufficiently far enough about the pivot pointin the second direction. Through that contact, the pivot-limiting legautomatically prevents further pivoting of the elongate arm about thepivot point in the second direction.

Certain embodiments of the apparatus includes a catch that (i) whenengaged, statically holds the elongate arm in a pivotal position that isbetween the first pivotal position and the second pivotal position and(ii) when disengaged, allows the elongate arm to freely pivot betweenthe first pivotal position and the second pivotal position. Preferably,the catch includes an arm that is pivotally mounted at one end betweenthe back support and the foot support and that pivots about the one endbetween an engaged position and a disengaged position. A cradle isformed near an end of the arm that is opposite the pivot point. Thecatch is engaged by pivoting the arm to the engaged position and placingthe elongate arm into the cradle such that the elongate arm isstatically held between the first pivotal position and the secondpivotal position. The catch is disengaged by pivoting the elongate armin the first direction to remove the elongate arm from the cradle andmoving the arm to the disengaged position. In certain embodiments, rigidelongate arms are pivotally mounted adjacent both sides of the backsupport and a catch is located on each side of the back support tosupport an elongate arm, as described above. Preferably, a linkageconnects the two catches together, such that engaging or disengaging onecatch will also automatically engage or disengage the opposite catch,respectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further advantages of the invention are apparent by reference to thedetailed description when considered in conjunction with the figures,which are not to scale so as to more clearly show the details, whereinlike reference numerals represent like elements throughout the severalviews, and wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an athlete performing a conventional glute bridgeexercise using a bench and a barbell free weight;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view depicting an exercise apparatus forperforming a weighted glute bridge according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a left-side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 3 in the“up” position;

FIG. 6 is a left-side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 3 in the“down” position;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 3 illustrating aswing away hip bar;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 3 with a backsupport, foot support, middle support, hip bar removed to illustratesupporting structures for these components;

FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line “11-11” in FIG. 7illustrating an at least partially hollow bar extending along the widthof the apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a detail view of the portion of the apparatus marked “FIG.12” in FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a detail view of the portion of the apparatus marked “FIG.13” in FIG. 10;

and

FIGS. 14 and 15 depict an athlete performing a glute bridge exerciseusing the apparatus of FIG. 3 according to a method of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIGS. 3-6, there is provided an apparatus 100 for usein performing a weighted glute bridge exercise according to anembodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 100 generallyincludes a back support 102 and a foot support 104, at least one rigidelongate arm 106 extending at least partially along the length of theapparatus, a hip bar 108 extending at least partially across the widthof the apparatus, and at least one resistance loading area 110. To usethe apparatus 100, a user first assumes the hip flexed positioned byplacing his back against the back support 102, his feet on the footsupport 104, and his hip region under the hip bar 108. Next, the userbrings his hip region into contact with the hip bar 108 and, by pressinghis hips upwards, moves from the hip flexed position to the hip extendedposition. During this motion, the elongate arm 106 pivots upwards awayfrom the foot support 104 in a first direction A from a first pivotalposition to a second pivotal position. The user then moves from the hipextended position to the hip flexed position by lowering his hips andallowing the hip bar 108 to be lowered towards the foot support 104.During this movement, the elongate arm 106 pivots in a second directionB from the second pivotal position to the first pivotal position, whichcompletes the repetition.

In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes a supportingframe or base 112 that is placed onto a ground surface. The base has afront 114, rear 116, left side 118, and right side 120. Risers 122extend generally vertically upwards from the left and right sides 118,120 at the rear 116 of the base 112. The back support 102 is mountedbetween the two risers 122 at approximately ⅔ the height of the risers.The back support 102 is configured to contact a user's back and tosupport a portion of the user's weight. In this embodiment, the backsupport is formed by a rod (128, shown in FIG. 8) that is rigidlymounted between the risers 122 and that is covered by a padded outercovering.

The foot support 104 is a plate-like surface that preferably extendsfrom just in front of the hip bar 108 to the front 114 of the base 112.Preferably, the foot support 104 includes a first end 104A and a hingedsecond end 104B that is closer to the back support 102 than the firstend. Preferably, the first end 104A of the foot support 104 may beraised and lowered about the hinged second end 104B and fixed in atleast two positions.

As shown best in FIGS. 5 and 9, a hinge 130 connects the second end 104Bof the foot support 104 to the to the base 112 to allow the first end104A to be raised and lowered about the second end. One end of acollapsible leg 132 is mounted near the first end 104A of the footsupport 104 by another hinge 130. The opposite end of the collapsibleleg 132 is mounted to rods 134 that extend through each of the left andright sides 118, 120 of the base 112. Ends of the rods 134 extend out ofcorresponding slots 136 that are formed in each of the left and rightsides 118, 120 of the base 112 and guide the motion of the rod along theslot and their enlarged ends secure the rod in the slot. When the rod134 is positioned at the end of the slot 136 nearest the first end 104Aof the foot support 104, the foot support is held at an inclined angle.When the rod 134 is positioned at the end of the slot 136 nearest thesecond end 104B of the foot support 104, the foot support is heldsubstantially horizontally. Preferably, in the inclined position, thefoot support 104 is inclined approximately 5°-20° from the horizontalposition. More preferably, in the inclined position, the foot support104 is inclined approximately 10° from the horizontal position. In otherembodiments, the foot support 104 may be fixed at three or morepositions, including a horizontal position and at least two differentinclined positions. In still other embodiments, the angle of incline ofthe foot support 104 is infinitely adjustable.

Preferably, a handle 138 is provided on the foot support 104 tofacilitate raising and lowering the foot support. The slot 136 and hinge130 are preferably configured such that pulling upwards on the handle138 to lift the foot support 104 automatically causes the rod 134 toslide along the slot and, once the handle is released, to automaticallybe seated at the end of the slot nearest the first end 104A of the footsupport 104, such that the foot support is held at an inclined angle. Tolower the foot support 104, the first end 104A is first raised and thenthe rod 134 is pushed rearward along the slot 136 towards the second end104B of the foot support. Since both rods 134 are connected to the samehinge 130, which acts as a linkage, moving a rod on one side of theapparatus 100 (e.g., the right side) also simultaneously moves the rodon the opposite side of the apparatus (e.g., the left side). This allowsthe angle of incline of the foot support 104 to be adjusted from eitherthe left or right side of the apparatus 100.

The foot support 104 is configured to contact at least one of the user'sfeet and to support a portion of the user's weight when the user's backis supported by the back support 102. As discussed above, the footsupport 104 is preferably a plate-like surface. However, in otherembodiments, the foot support 104 could be a ground, floor, or othersurface. To mimic the elevated hip thrust discussed above, the backsupport 102 and foot support 104 are preferably located on two differentvertical planes (i.e., the back support is vertically higher than thefoot support). More preferably, the top of the back support 102 israised to a vertical height above the foot support 104 by a distancethat replicates the height difference between the top of a standardweightlifting bench and the ground surface that it rests on(approximately 18″ to approximately 24″). In some embodiments, either ofthe back support 102 and foot support 104 may be moved, pivoted,rotated. An example of a pivoting foot support 104 is described below.However, the back support 102 and foot support 10 preferably remainfixed in place throughout the exercise in order to provide a stablesupport surface for the user.

Referring again to FIGS. 3-6, the rigid elongate arms 106 are pivotallymounted adjacent a left side or a right side of the back support 102 ata pivot point 124 that is located on the outside surface of the risers122. Due to their being pivotally mounted at one end, the motion of theelongate arms 106 is constrained to an up and down circular path aboutthe pivot point 124. As a result, the motion path of each repetition ofthe glute raise remains consistent, which provides more consistentresults than the convention glute raise discussed above. It is possiblefor the elongate arms 106 to each pivot about their respective pivotpoints 124 independently of one another. However, in preferredembodiments, the elongate arms 106 pivot simultaneously with one anotherduring the exercise. To ensure that the elongate arms 106 pivotsimultaneously with one another, a rigid connection member 126 connectsthe two elongate arms together. More particularly, each elongate arm 106includes a first portion 106A that is located on one side of the pivotpoint 124 and a second portion 106B located on an opposite side of thepivot point that is closer to the foot support 104 than the firstportion of the elongate arm. The rigid connection member 126 isconnected between the first portions 106A of the elongate arms 106.Thus, the rigid connecting member 126 is spaced sufficiently far enoughbehind the back support 102 that it does not interfere with the userwhile they perform the exercise.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the hip bar 108 is connected between thesecond portions 106B of the elongate arms 106 via a hip bar connection140. The hip bar 108 is located between the back support 102 and thefoot support 104 and is positioned such that it contacts the user's hipregion when the user's back is supported by the back support 102 and atleast one of the user's feet is supported by the foot support 104. Theuser's hip region remains in contact with the hip bar 108 throughout theexercise. When the user moves from the hip flexed position to the hipextended position, the elongate arm 106 moves from a first pivotalposition to a second pivotal position. When the user moves from the hipextended position to the hip flexed position, the elongate arm 106 movesfrom the second pivotal position to the first pivotal position. In someembodiments, a separate hip bar 108 extends from each of the hip barconnections 140 located on the left and right sides of the apparatus100. In that case, each hip bar would contact one side (i.e., left orright) of the athlete's hip region during the exercise. However, morepreferably, a single hip bar 108 extends across the width of theapparatus 100 and is connected at opposing ends between the hip barconnections 140. Thus, a pivoting enclosure that surrounds at least theleft and right sides and the front of the back support 102 is formed bythe elongate arms 106 and the hip bar 108. When the apparatus 100 isequipped with the rigid connection member 126, it also forms part of thepivoting enclosure and surrounds the back of the back support 102. Thepivoting enclosure surrounds the user's upper body during the exerciseand pivots, as a single unite about the pivot points 124.

As discussed above, to perform the exercise, the user first assumes thehip flexed position with his hip region located below the hip bar 108.To accomplish this, the user may first step into the pivoting enclosurebetween the back support 102 and hip bar 108 and then seat himself on amiddle support 142, which may be provided with a padded seat 144. Onceseated, the user then positions his back against the back support 102and his feet onto the foot support 104, raises his hip region to the hip108, and begins the exercise.

However, more preferably, at least one side of the hip bar 108 may beselectively disconnected from at least one of the elongate arms 106 inorder to provide more convenient access to the pivoting enclosure. Forexample, in some embodiments, both sides of the hip bar 108 may bedisconnected from the elongate arms 106 via a removable hip barconnection 140. In other embodiments, only one side of the hip bar 108is disconnected. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the hip bar 108is provided with a hinged hip bar connection located on one side of thehip bar and a locking hip bar connection located on the opposite side ofthe hip bar. This hinged and locking hip bar may swing open on one sideto provide an opening to allow the user more convenient access to thepivoting enclosure.

More detailed views of the hinged hip bar connection and the locking hipbar connection are provided in FIGS. 10-13. The hip bar 108 swingsbetween an open and closed position. When the hip bar 108 is in theclosed position, the locking side (FIG. 12) of the hip bar may beremovably connected to the adjacent elongate arm 106 via a lock. Thelock moves between an unlocked position, where the hip bar 108 may bepivoted about the hinged side (FIG. 13) to the open position, and alocked position, where the hip bar is prevented from being pivoted aboutthe hinged side to the open position. In this particular embodiment, thelock is formed by a pair of tubes 146, including one tube in the hip bar108 and another tube mounted to the elongate arm 106, whose open endsalign when the hip bar is in the closed position and a sliding bolt 148that slides through the tubes. In the illustrated embodiment, a handle150 extends through a slot 152 formed in one of the tubes 146 andconnects to the bolt 146. To engage the lock, the user aligns the openends of the tubes 146, grasps the handle 150, and slides the bolt 148 tothe right (as shown in FIG. 12) along the slot 152 until a portion ofthe bolt is located in each of the tubes. To disengage the lock, theuser grasps the handle 150 and slides the bolt 148 to the left (as shownin FIG. 12) along the slot 152 until the bolt is located in only one ofthe tubes.

As discussed above, the difficulty of the glute bridge exercise may beincreased by applying resistance to the movement of the athlete's hips.Traditionally, this is done by placing a weighted barbell across theathlete's hip region. Accordingly, in preferred embodiments, theapparatus 100 is provided with the resistance loading area 110, whichmay be used for applying a resistance force to the user's hip region.Referring again to FIGS. 3-6, the resistance loading area 110 is locatedon the elongate arm 106 near the hip bar connection 140 such that theresistance force is transmitted to the hip bar 108 and is appliedsubstantially directly onto the user's hip region throughout the entireexercise. That resistance force resists pivotal movement of the elongatearm 106 as the user extends his hips forward. Applying the resistanceforce directly over the user's hip region (rather than at some distancespaced away from the hip region) causes the performance of the glutebridge exercise using the apparatus 100 to more closely resembleperforming conventional glute bridge exercises with a weighted barbellplaced across the user's hip region.

The resistance loading area 110 and the type of resistance applied maytake many forms. For example, a resistance band could be connectedbetween the elongate arm and the base 112 via hooks that are located oneach structure. Alternatively, one end of a cable could be connected tothe elongate arm 106 at the resistance loading area 110. The cable couldthen be routed to a weight stack using known methods to provide aneasily adjustable resistance load. In the illustrated embodiment, theresistance loading area 110 is an elongate post that extends laterallyoutwards from the elongate arm 106 and that is configured to receiveweight plates.

In order to more closely replicate the feel and performance ofconventional weighted glute bridge exercises, the apparatus 100preferably includes a pair of elongate posts 110 that extend laterallyoutwards in opposite directions from the elongate arms 106. These postsare preferably concentrically aligned with the hip bar 108 (i.e., theyare collinear or placed along a straight line). The arrangement givesthe appearance and performance characteristics (i.e., motion path) ofhaving a traditional weighted barbell placed across the athlete's hiparea.

The presently-disclosed apparatus 100 may be provided with a number ofoptional safety and convenience features that are not available whenperforming the glute bridge according to conventional methods. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 6, certain preferred embodiments of theapparatus 100 may include a pivot-limiting leg 154 that is rigidlymounted underneath the elongate arm 106 and that pivots with the arm. Inthis particular embodiment, the hip bar 108 is indirectly mounted toarms 106 by being directly mounted to leg 154 via hip bar connection140. The pivot-limiting leg 154 automatically limits the distance thatthe pivoting enclosure can pivot in the second direction B as theathlete lowers his hips to hip flexed position. A first (top) end of thepivot-limiting leg 154 is fixedly mounted to the elongate arm 106. Theleg 154 extends downwards from this mounting location and is sized suchthat, in the event the elongate arm 106 pivots downwards too far (suchas during an accidental drop), a second (bottom) end the leg contacts abearing surface and prevents the arm from pivoting further. Among otherthings, the pivot-limiting leg 154 is intended to prevent the hip bar108 from falling onto and pinning the athlete against the base 112. Thebearing surface that the pivot-limiting leg could be a ground surfacethat the apparatus 100 rests on, the apparatus itself, or some othersurface. Preferably, the bottom end of leg 154 is protected by a pad156, such as a rubberized bumper.

Additionally, in some preferred embodiments, the apparatus 100 mayinclude a catch that contacts a portion of the pivoting enclosure andthat holds the pivoting enclosure between the first pivotal position andthe second pivotal position. The catch is used between exercise sets tohold the hip bar 108 (and leg 154) in a raised position away from thebase 112 and the pivoting enclosure at a slightly pivoted position.Having the hip bar 108 spaced away from the base 112 facilitates theathlete's entry and exit of the apparatus 100. Having the pivotingenclosure at a slightly pivoted position makes beginning and ending theexercise more comfortable and controlled.

The catch may take any form that is capable of holding the pivotingenclosure in a partially pivoted position away. For example, aspring-loaded or detent pin could be configured to engage an openingformed in the elongate arm. In other cases, the catch could take theform of a brake mounted to the pivot points 124. However, in theillustrated embodiment, the catch is a bar that, when swung to avertical position, contacts and vertically supports a lower portion ofthe pivoting enclosure. More particularly, the catch includes anelongate bar 158 having a bottom end that is pivotally mounted to alower portion of the frame 112 to enable the bar to swing rearwardstowards the back support 102 to an angled and disengaged position. Whendisengaged, the bar 158 is preferably supported by an angled rest 160that is also mounted to a lower portion of the frame 112. The bar 158also swings forward about its pivotal mounting point to a substantiallyvertical and engaged position. A cradle 162 is located on a forward faceof the bar 158 (i.e., on the side nearest the foot support 104). Whenthe bar 158 is engaged, the cradle 162 is positioned under andvertically supports a post 164 that extends laterally outwards from theside of the elongate arm 106 (or, in this particular case, the leg 154mounted to the elongate arm 106), which supports the pivoting enclosurein a slightly pivoted location.

The bar 158 is mounted between the back support 102 and the foot support104. Preferably, the bar 158 is sized and configured such that it mayalways be easily grasped by a user in either the engaged or disengagedposition when that user's back is on the back support 102 and his feetare on the foot support 104. Therefore, as a safety and conveniencefeature, the bar 158 and post 164 are sized and positioned such that thebar cannot swing beyond the post 164. Therefore, in order to swing thebar 158 forward, it must be engaged and placed under the post 164. Inthis case, the bar 158 extends upwards past the post 164 and the post164 extends outward from the leg 154 far enough that the two will alwayscontact one another when the bar swings forward. In preferredembodiments, catches are located on both sides of the apparatus 100 inorder to provide added safety (i.e., higher weight capacity) andstability or balance. Additionally, as shown best in FIGS. 8 and 9, alinkage 166 extends through the base 112 below the middle support 142and rigidly connects the two catches together. As such, engaging ordisengaging one catch automatically engages or disengages the oppositecatch, respectively. Some embodiments may also include a handle 160 formoving the bar 158 between the engaged and disengaged positions. In theillustrated case, a handle 160 is mounted at the top of one bar 158. Incertain embodiments, the handle 160 is removable and may be moved toeither the left or right side of the apparatus 100 to accommodate user'swith either a right- or left-hand preference. In other embodiments,handles 160 are located on both the left and right side of the apparatus100.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the above-described apparatus may 100 beused to perform a weighted glute bridge exercise more conveniently,consistently, and safely than conventional methods, such as that shownin FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 14, a user is located in the apparatus 100 inthe hip flexed position. In particular, her back is in contact with theback support 102, such that a portion of her weight is supported by theback support. Next, at least one of her feet is in contact with the footsupport 104, such that a portion of her weight is supported by the footsupport. The hip bar 108 is in contact with the user's hip region. Anangle of approximately 90° is formed at the user's hips by her uppertorso and the upper portion of her leg. An angle of approximately 90° isalso formed at the user's knee by the upper and lower leg portions oneither side of the knee. With the hip bar 108 contacting her hip region,the user extends her hips forwards and moves to the hip extendedposition, shown in FIG. 15, which causes the pivoting enclosure to pivotin the first pivotal direction (counterclockwise in the illustratedviews) and the hip bar 108 moves upwards away from the foot support 104and base 112.

In FIG. 15, the user is shown in the hip extended position. An angle ofapproximately 180° is formed at the user's hips by her upper torso andthe upper portion of her leg. An angle of approximately 90° is alsostill formed at the user's knee by the upper and lower leg portions oneither side of the knee. With the hip bar 108 contacting her hip region,the user moves back to the hip flexed position such that the pivotingenclosure pivots in the second pivotal direction (clockwise in theillustrated views) and the hip bar 108 moves towards the foot support104. This completes one repetition of the glute bridge or hip thrustexercise.

Although this description contains many specifics, these should not beconstrued as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providingillustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments thereof, aswell as the best mode contemplated by the inventor of carrying out theinvention. The invention, as described herein, is susceptible to variousmodifications and adaptations as would be appreciated by those havingordinary skill in the art to which the invention relates.

1. An apparatus for use in performing a weighted glute bridge exercisewhere a user alternates between a hip flexed position and a hip extendedposition, the apparatus comprising: a back support configured to contacta user's back and to support a portion of the user's weight; a footsupport configured to contact at least one of the user's feet and tosupport a portion of the user's weight when the user's back is supportedby the back support; a rigid elongate arm pivotally mounted adjacent aleft side or a right side of the back support at a pivot point; a hipbar connected to the elongate arm at a hip bar connection and configuredto contact the user's hip region throughout the exercise such that (i)when the user moves from the hip flexed position to the hip extendedposition, the elongate arm pivots about the pivot point from a firstpivotal position to a second pivotal position in a first direction and(ii) when the user moves from the hip extended position to the hipflexed position, the elongate arm pivots about the pivot point from thesecond pivotal position to the first pivotal position in a seconddirection; and a resistance loading area for applying a resistance forceto the elongate arm that resists pivotal movement of the elongate arm inthe first direction, wherein the resistance loading area is disposed onthe elongate arm in line with and vertically above the user's hip regionsuch that the resistance force is applied substantially directlydownwards at the user's hip region throughout the entire weighted glutebridge exercise.
 2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rigidelongate arm comprises a rigid elongate arm pivotally mounted adjacentboth sides of the back support and the hip bar is connected between theelongate arms.
 3. The exercise apparatus of claim 2 further wherein eachof the elongate arms has a first portion located on one side of thepivot point and a second portion located on an opposite side of thepivot point that is closer to the foot support than the first portion ofthe elongate arm, wherein the hip bar is connected between the secondportions of the elongate arms and is configured to be selectivelydisconnected from at least one of the elongate arms.
 4. The exerciseapparatus of claim 3 wherein a rigid connection member connects thefirst portions of the elongate arms together such that the elongate armspivot simultaneously with one another during the exercise.
 5. Theexercise apparatus of claim 3 wherein a hinged side of the hip bar ishinge mounted to one of the elongate arms such that the hip bar mayswing between an open position and a closed position and wherein, whenthe hip bar is in the closed position, a locking side of the hip bar isconfigured to be removably connected to the other elongate arm via alock that moves between an unlocked position, where the hip bar isconfigured to be pivoted about the hinge to the open position, and alocked position, where the hip bar is prevented from being pivoted aboutthe hinge to the open position.
 6. The exercise apparatus of claim 5further comprising: a first tube disposed on the elongate arm the islocated proximate the locking side of the hip bar; a second tubedisposed on the back support that aligns with the first tube when thehip bar is in the closed position; and a sliding bolt that is configuredto slide through the first and second tubes, wherein, when the lock isin the locked position, a portion of the sliding bolt is located in eachof the first and second tubes, and wherein, when the lock is in theunlocked position, the sliding bolt is located in only one of the firstand second tubes.
 7. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein theresistance loading area is an elongate post extending laterally outwardsfrom the elongate arm that is configured to receive weight plates. 8.The exercise apparatus of claim 7 further comprising: rigid elongatearms are pivotally mounted adjacent both sides of the back support; aresistance loading area for applying a separate resistance force to eachthe elongate arm, wherein each resistance loading area is an elongatepost extending laterally outwards from the elongate arm that isconfigured to receive weight plates, wherein each of the elongate armshas a first portion located on one side of the pivot point and a secondportion located on an opposite side of the pivot point that is closer tothe foot support than the first portion of the elongate arm, wherein thehip bar is connected between the second portions of the elongate armsand wherein elongate posts are concentrically aligned with the hip bar.9. The exercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the back support and thefoot support remain fixed in place throughout the exercise.
 10. Theexercise apparatus of claim 1 wherein the foot support includes a firstend and a hinged second end such that the first end of the foot supportis configured to be raised and lowered about the hinged second end andfixed in at least two positions.
 11. The exercise apparatus of claim 1further comprising a pivot-limiting leg having a first end mounted tothe elongate arm and a second end that is configured to contact abearing surface once the elongate arm has pivoted sufficiently farenough about the pivot point in the second direction and, through thatcontact, to automatically prevent further pivot of the elongate armabout the pivot point in the second direction.
 12. The exerciseapparatus of claim 1 further comprising a catch that (i) when engaged,statically holds the elongate arm in a pivotal position that is betweenthe first pivotal position and the second pivotal position and (ii) whendisengaged, allows the elongate arm to freely pivot between the firstpivotal position and the second pivotal position.
 13. The exerciseapparatus of claim 12 wherein the catch comprises: an arm that ispivotally mounted at one end between the back support and the footsupport and that pivots about the one end between an engaged positionand a disengaged position; a cradle formed at an opposite end of thearm, wherein the catch is engaged by moving the arm to the engagedposition and placing the elongate arm into the cradle such that theelongate arm is statically held between the first pivotal position andthe second pivotal position, and wherein the catch is disengaged bypivoting the elongate arm in the first direction to remove the elongatearm from the cradle and moving the arm to the disengaged position. 14.The exercise apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: rigid elongatearms that are pivotally mounted adjacent both sides of the back support;a catch located on each side of the back support adjacent an elongatearm that (i) when engaged, statically holds the elongate arm in apivotal position that is between the first pivotal position and thesecond pivotal position and (ii) when disengaged, allows the elongatearm to freely pivot between the first pivotal position and the secondpivotal position; and a linkage connecting the two catches together,such that engaging or disengaging one catch automatically engages ordisengages the opposite catch, respectively.
 15. An apparatus for use inperforming a weighted glute bridge exercise where a user alternatesbetween a hip flexed position and a hip extended position, the apparatuscomprising: a back support having left and right sides, a front and aback and configured to be contacted by the user's back and to support aportion of the user's weight; a foot support configured to be contactedby at least one of the user's feet and to support a portion of theuser's weight when the user's back is supported by the back support; apivoting enclosure surrounding the left and right sides and the front ofthe back support, the pivoting enclosure formed by: elongate arms thatare pivotally mounted adjacent the left and right sides of the backsupport; a hip bar connected between the elongate arms separating theback support and foot support; and a resistance loading area forapplying a resistance force to the pivoting enclosure that resistspivotal movement of the pivoting enclosure in at least one direction,wherein the hip bar is aligned with the hip region of the user when theuser's back is supported by the back support and the user's at least onefoot is supported by the foot support, wherein the pivoting enclosurepivots in a first pivotal direction and the hip bar moves away from thefoot support when the hip bar is in contact with the user's hip regionand the user moves to the hip extended position. wherein the pivotingenclosure pivots in a second pivotal direction and the hip bar movestowards the foot support when the hip bar is in contact with the user'ship region and the user moves to the hip flexed position.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 15 wherein the resistance loading area includes apost extending laterally outwards from at least one of said elongatearms that is configured to receive weight plates.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 16 wherein a post that is configured to receive weight platesextends laterally outwards from each of said elongate arms and whereinthe posts and the hip bar are collinear with each other.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 15 wherein one end of the hip bar is configured toselectively disconnect and swing away from one of the elongate arms toprovide an opening for the user to enter the pivoting enclosure.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 15 wherein the elongate arms include a first portionthat extend rearward behind the back of the back support and a secondportion that extends forwards in front of the back support, and whereina rigid connecting member is located behind the back of the back supportand rigidly connects the elongate arms together such that the elongatearms pivot simultaneously with one another.
 20. A method for performinga weighted glute bridge exercise comprising the steps of: A. providing aglute bridge apparatus comprising: a. a back support having left andright sides, a front and a back; b. a foot support; c. a pivotingenclosure surrounding the left and right sides and the front of the backsupport, the pivoting enclosure formed by: i. elongate arms that arepivotally mounted adjacent the left and right sides of the back support;ii. a hip bar connected between the elongate arms separating the backsupport and foot support that is configured to be contacted by a user'ship region and to pivot the pivoting enclosure in a first pivotaldirection when the user's hips are moved in a first direction and topivot the pivoting enclosure in a second pivotal direction when theuser's hips are moved in a second direction; and d. a resistance loadingarea for applying a resistance force that resists pivotal movement ofthe pivoting enclosure in at least one pivotal direction, B. placing theuser into the glute bridge apparatus such that the user's back contactsthe back support and a portion of the user's weight is supported by theback support, at least one of the user's feet contacts the foot supportand a portion of the user's weight is supported by the foot support, andthe hip bar is in contact with the user's hip region; C. with the hipbar contacting the user's hip region, the user moving to the hipextended position such that the pivoting enclosure pivots in the firstpivotal direction and the hip bar moves away from the foot support; andD. with the hip bar contacting the user's hip region, the user moving tothe hip flexed position such that the pivoting enclosure pivots in thesecond pivotal direction and the hip bar moves towards the foot support.